Thankfully, paying for cable isn’t the only way to watch TV anymore, mainly because of the internet (You can even get free internet access these days.)

While cable TV has been the best way to get quality TV and movies shows over the past few decades, things have changed. And today, streaming content is a more efficient and cost-effective way to watch the shows and movies you love.

So, if you’re tired of paying too much for your cable or satellite TV, then it may be time to cut the cord and try out one of these cheap alternatives to cable TV.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past decade, you’ve probably heard about Netflix. It started out as a DVD rental company. Then, in 2007, it branched out into streaming.

Now, it’s one of the most popular streaming services. In fact, in July 2016, Netflix reported that it has more than 83 million paid subscribers globally.

And, it has one of the largest libraries for live-streaming.

On there, you get access to a wide selection of popular television shows, like The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad. There are also a ton of movies available, from Hollywood blockbusters to independent films.

One of the best things about Netflix, however, is the Netflix Original TV content that’s on offer. These shows, like Stranger Things, are exclusive to Netflix, so you won’t see them anywhere else!

Netflix is completely commercial-free too, so you don’t have to worry about interruptions! Plus, it often releases whole seasons of shows at once. So, if you’re a binge-watcher, then it’s definitely, the platform for you!

The Cost

So, how much will it cost you?

Netflix has three different membership tiers – each with its own monthly price and benefits:

Basic $7.99

Standard $9.99

Premium $11.99

That’s much less the average monthly cable bill!

There’s a free trial of Netflix available too. So, you can test it out, without having to part with your hard-earned cash.

Handily, you can watch Netflix on tons of different platforms. Stream it right to your smart TV, download the app and watch it on your Xbox or PlayStation, watch from your PC, or view it on your mobile, tablet and many other devices.

By the way, don’t forget to check out our Get Paid to Watch Movies post where we list Netflix along with 9 other companies that pay you to watch movies.

Another great streaming platform that is similar to Netflix is Amazon Prime Video.

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There’s a great selection of movies and TV shows on there. You can get access to popular shows, like Sons of Anarchy and American Horror Story. There’s also plenty of movies on offer, in a range of genres, from comedy to horror.

Prime, like Netflix, also offers a range of original content that you can’t find anywhere else.

The Cost

You can pay for Prime Video by itself, which costs $8.99 per month.

Or you can sign up for a full Amazon Prime account, for $10.99 per month. It only costs you a couple of dollars extra, and you not only get access to Prime Video but also a ton of other benefits, like:

Free two-day shipping on eligible items if you live in the contiguous United States.

Free same-day delivery in eligible zip codes.

Free release-date delivery on eligible pre-order items delivered on their release dates – only available in eligible zip codes.

Free two-hour delivery or scheduled delivery for more than 10,000 items in eligible zip codes.

If you love movies and TV shows, but you’re on a tight budget, then you really should check out Crackle. It’s a streaming service, owned by tech giant Sony, which features a fairly large catalog of movies and TV shows to stream whenever you like.

On there, you’ll find classic movies, new blockbusters, and plenty of well-known TV shows, like Seinfeld.

On SnagFilms, you get access to more than 10,000 movies. You’ll find everything on there from drama to kids and family. There’s also a plethora of TV shows available on there too, including kid’s programs.

If you enjoy indie movies and documentary films in particular, then you’ll love Snag Films.

Handily enough, you can watch SnagFilms from your TV, phone or tablet.

Cost

The best thing about SnagFilms is that it’s completely free! So, you can watch movies and TV shows, without having to spend a cent.

Are you a fan of the classic movies from Hollywood’s Golden Age? Then, you should definitely check out Big Five Glories.

On this site, you can find classic movies from the 1910s to the 1970s! So, if you love the old classics, it’s definitely the site for you. It’s a particularly great platform if you’re a fan of black and white films.

Cost

The best thing about Big Five Glories is that it’ completely free to watch! So, head on over there and get your classic movie fix.

Cost

For feel-good, heartwarming and family-friendly movies, there’s really no better platform than Feeln.

Owned by Hallmark Cards, this streaming service provides a wide selection of movies and TV shows that you can watch on multiple devices.

From the Xbox 360 to the iPhone, you can easily stream content from Feeln on whatever device suits you best.

Cost

Aside, of course, from the free options, Feeln is one of the cheapest alternatives to cable TV on this list. It costs you just $5.99 per month or if you pay the annual fee of $35.99 instead, then that works out at just $2.99 per month.